Here is a listing of various wine dealers and vineyards we have visited and rated based upon our preferences.
Our preferences include such things as cleanliness, staff friendliness and knowledge. Dealers include a willingness to order special items, price, presentation of product.
COLORADO
PAGOSA SPRINGS
Mountain Spirits Liquor and Wine:
This was our favorite location. Friendly staff, very willing to order product, monthly wine tastings, very clean store, wide selection, well organized, competitive pricing.
Silver Dollar Liquor:
This location is on the opposite side of town and is our second choice. Friendly staff, willing to order product, an older location yet still kept very clean, a bit cramped with lots of product, organized well considering the limited space, competitive pricing. Has many items not found at other stores.
Plaza Liquor:
This location is in the middle of town. Very average. Staff was just there not very helpful. Store not somewhat unkempt. Not as well organized as other locations. Most wines were generic compared to other locations. On the up-side, there were some wines not found at other stores. Staff was not willing to special order. We don’t recommend this store at this time.
Old West Spirits:
Unfortunately, we just can’t recommend this location because we were treated poorly upon entering the establishment on our first visit. The owner/manager treated us as if our business did not matter. The store seemed clean, had limited product, but we left quickly because of the unfriendly atmosphere.
Pagosa Liquor:
Again unfortunately, we can’t recommend this location either. Located in the back part of a gas station where a restaurant once was located, product was poorly displayed and poorly organized. Staff was busy smoking outside the store, was uninterested in being helpful, was dressed as if they slept in the back room on a regular basis. The store strongly smelled of cigarette smoke which hastened our leaving as non-smokers. Pricing was average. We were informed special orders were not taken.
DURANGO
Wine Merchant:
This is our favorite wine seller in Durango. Friendly staff, very willing to order product, weekly wine tastings, very clean store, wide selection, well organized, competitive pricing. They have a great weekly newsletter. They also sponsor wine tasting events. They have a great website located here.
Durango Liquor and Wine:
We also like this one. Friendly staff, very willing to order product, occasional wine tastings, very clean store, wide selection, well organized, competitive pricing. They have a great weekly newsletter containing interesting information regarding wine. They have a great website located here.
River Liquor:
This is a very clean and well organized store located next to Nature’s Oasis Natural Grocers. It is fairly new. On Saturday afternoons, they have wine tasting events and on special occasions, such as Valentine’s Day, they also offer cold cuts, cheeses and crackers accompanying the tasting.
Put a Cork In It:
While playing tourist in Durango, we found this establishment just off Main Street on East 10th Street. It has limited space but specialize in small production wines and craft beers from around the world. Wine tasting is available on Saturday afternoons.
Four Leaves Winery:
This charming winery is located in the heart of downtown. It offers wine tasting daily. It only carries wines produced at the Four Leaves Winery in Colorado. You can even invite friends for a wine tasting party. See our red and white wines for reviews of their products.
W J Doyle Wine and Spirits;
If you are looking for a particular taste in wine, we suggest you visit W J Doyle. We found the staff is extremely knowledgeable about all of their products. They offer competitive pricing as well as close out wines as a discounted price. It is worth stopping by to check out their selection. Site link.
Upper East Side Liquor:
This establishment is located in a charming new building just off Highway 160. It offers a nice selections of wines from many locations throughout the world. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly.
Southern Front Range Wineries
Mountain Spirits Winery, Salida, Colorado:
The tasting room for Mountain Spirits Winery is located on US HWY 50. It is adjacent to the Twisted Cork Cafe.
We each tasted a wine flight consisting of four different red or white wines. The winery produces some interesting blends of wine. The outside patio is surrounded by large old trees and the sound of rushing water nearby makes it a wonderful place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine.
Vino Salida Wine Cellar, Salida, Colorado:
This tasting room is also located on US HWY 50.
Vino Salida is a small artisan winery focusing on Colorado wine and local mead. Beside tasting, they offer complementary casual winery tours while being guided through the wine making process. This is a fun and informative way to learn about wine. The staff was knowledgeable about their products and friendly.
NEW MEXICO
FARMINGTON
St. Clair Winery, Farmington, New Mexico:
St. Clair Winery is separated into two sections. The restaurant and the wine bar for tasting and displaying their wines. The staff was very knowledgeable and helpful offering suggestions to taste. Their wines were nicely displayed. They carry a full selection of their wines. They also stock some unusual seasonal blends. Prices were average.
Safeway ( next to TJ Maxx on the main road) Farmington, New Mexico:
Yes, this was a big surprise to us. This Safeway store has a large wine selection and especially stocks many of our favorite New Mexico wines. The wines are well organized by white, red and other. Shelves are always fully stocked. There is an additional bonus if you have a Safeway Rewards Card. The wines are discounted from their normal price, which is less than purchasing them at a winery.
NORTHERN NEW MEXICO WINERIES
Black Mesa Winery and Tasting Room:
While touring the wineries of Northern New Mexico we stopped at the Black Mesa Winery. This is a charming place with friendly help.
They are very knowledgeable about their wines and history of the vineyard. Wine tasting is available.
If you travel from Taos to Sante Fe this is a wonderful place to stop and enjoy the atmosphere and sample the wines. Click on the link above to see the events they have planned.
Reviews of Black Mesa wines can be found on the White and Red wine pages.
La Chiripada Winery and Vineyards:
Our wine tour continued with a visit to La Chiripada Winery and Vineyards. This is New Mexico’s oldest winery. They average 60 tons of grapes crushed each year that are grown in several vineyards in New Mexico. Their wines range from sweet to dry. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Tasting is available on site.
Reviews of La Chiripada Wines can be found on the White and Red wine pages.
Vivac Winery:
This Northern New Mexico Winery is located adjacent to some of it’s vineyards.
It offers wine tasting. You can also purchase cheeses, crackers and some delicious gourmet chocolates. The staff is friendly and helpful. They produce red and white wines.
*Image from winery postcard. Copyright is theirs. Fair Use.
Don Quixote Winery and Distillery:
This Winery and Distillery is located a few miles outside of Santa Fe on your way to Taos, New Mexico. The tasting room is open daily from noon to 6 PM. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about their products. They produce Blue Corn Bourbon, Blue Corn Vodka, elegant Ports, as well as fine wines and extracts. There are also gourmet chocolates available for purchase.
We found their wines unique.This is definitely a place to visit and taste their products. They have one of the most unique wines we have encountered made with rose petals.
See the reviews of their products on our other pages.
IDAHO
This winery is located in Buhl, Idaho. It has a tasting room and offers gourmet meals several evenings a week. The owner creates all her own dishes from scratch.The view while dining or visiting for a glass of wine is outstanding. The atmosphere is romantic and outside dining is available during warmer months. We visited during the winter months and the winery was still bursting with atmosphere and very inviting. Reviews of Snyder Wines can be found on our Wine Review page.
